Do you have an emergency fund for your pet?

**MTS04** · 12-10-2010, 10:09 AM

I thought this might be a thought provoking question.

I do, set it up many years ago. Instead of insurance, we take a monthly payment and put it in a savings account for the dogs. I'm glad we do. It paid for a five day stay in ICU for my dog.

So, do you do this; or am I just weird?

**Rhiamon** · 12-10-2010, 10:39 AM

I don't have one yet but redid a budget this week to start in Jan that includes an ER fund for me as well as my pets.

**xtena** · 12-10-2010, 10:46 AM

Not weird, very smart.

**jas** · 12-10-2010, 10:52 AM

We put aside money every month for our dog, it includes money for the yearly shots, exams, heart worm and flea meds and grooming.

We don't have any specifically set aside for ER visits though. She will be 7 this Feb so I guess it would be a good idea to set aside a bit extra now that she is getting older and problems can start to come up.

**Palooka** · 12-10-2010, 06:42 PM

I don't but that is a smart thing to do. So far our cats have been affordable. *knock on wood*

**madjen** · 12-10-2010, 06:48 PM

I don't have an emergency fund specifically for the critters but it's not a bad idea at all.

**pollypurebred39** · 12-10-2010, 06:48 PM

I have an envelope that I put money in for routine care & sick visits. However, it was not enough when our Suki got sick and it sent us scrambling to gather money together for her care.

I've since started adding extra money into the puppy fund. I'm not sure just how much I'd need to feel comfortable, Suki's care and surgery was very expensive.

**pinetree** · 12-10-2010, 08:33 PM

I think it is very smart to have money put away for vet bills etc. I use to have a credit card with a really low interest rate I would use.

Well as you know there arent any more low interest rates and I am still paying on the vet bills from Trouble. Things can get Very expensive!

**frugalfranny** · 12-11-2010, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by MTS04

So, do you do this; or am I just weird?

Not weird.........that was a very smart move.

I just don't do it.

**mauimagic** · 12-11-2010, 12:13 AM

Don't think you are weird at all - very proactive. If we did have any pets, we would want/need to do the same!!

**mndtrp** · 12-12-2010, 06:04 PM

Nope. I have no interest in paying an exorbitant amount to keep the cat alive. So far, the wife is in agreement, but we'll see what happens if/when the time comes.

**Persimmon Lace** · 12-12-2010, 10:15 PM

We barter services with our vet and pay for medications. I need to refund their account though as they are getting older.

**fairydana** · 12-13-2010, 10:50 AM

Last year we spent a lot of money on our Hannah. She was 14 years old and she did pass away. I did not have savings set aside for it and it was tough. I am working on a budget now and you can bet that I will put in a place for emergency and routine vet care. I love my furry babies!!

**FrugalKate** · 12-14-2010, 08:13 PM

I used to. But now that I have no income coming in and no Unemployment to fall back on the main emergency fund has to include them too. I hope things turn around in this crappy economy and employers start hiring "FULL TIME PERMANENT" employees again soon!

**krbshappy71** · 12-23-2010, 10:10 AM

This is probably not the answer people are wanting to hear, since I have credit card issues, but I have $5,000 CareCredit card for my pet emergencies. It wouldn't go too far in a super-duper illness but in the past I have easily dropped $800 for one incident so I figure with 5 dogs, that's $1,000 each and heaven forbid anything would happen to all 5 at the same time.

The interest rate is horrible, but since its only for medical or veterinary expenses I have it on hand and don't touch it. (as compared to when I have free space on a normal credit card)

CareCredit Veterinary Financing for Pet Care, Pet Surgery, Vaccinations & Other Veterinary Medicine Procedures